The American media of the time described those who supported the VC as being driven by nationalistic or ideological goals. I read all that media nonsense (and similar books). I had bought into the “impartiality” of the media and did not know of the media’s leftist agenda. Only after I arrived in Vietnam (1967)did I realize the reality.
The vast majority of South Vietnamese who BEGAN to assist the VC, especially those in the more isolated villages, did so because the VC were terrorists who would kill them or their family. They had no government protection. [A few days ago I read of a very effective Iraqi Lt. who had joined the Iraqi Army only recently. When asked why he had only recently joined, he stated something like, “Up to now, I didn’t know who would win.” Reality and terrorism, not nationalism or ideology!]
Forget all the left-wing media crap, of then and today. It’s just that simple. Guys come by with weapons and spout their idealogy, someone disagrees, they kill him. Message sent. 100% compliance and “Sure, I agree with you guys” becomes the reality. Then a GI comes along and blows one of your village buddies away and it gets personal too; what choice did you have anyway?
The MSM under report on the effectiveness and value of simple terrorist tactics. Why? One, they hate America, so they are on the enemy side. Two, terrorism is very simple and effective, and the media needs to fill a lot of space, so they also have an interest in making the situation appear more complex than it is.
And all of who who are vets, just thanks!